USC quarterback Connor Shaw (14) drops back to pass against Georgia at William Brice Stadium in SEC football action on Saturday / MYKAL MCELDOWNEY / Staff

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Steve Spurrier believed his University of South Carolina football team could defeat the then fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.

All the things that happened to allow the Gamecocks to advance from sixth to third in each national poll released Sunday was somewhat unexpected, however.

“Well, we realize if we had won the game last night, which we did, that this could happen,” said Spurrier. “Now, we didn’t think (Florida State) was going to get beat. LSU and Florida was a toss-up game. It just happened that three, four and five got beat and we were sitting there at No. 6 and beat No. 5.

“There are still six games left. We’re only halfway through. All kind of bad stuff can still happen to a lot of teams. I’d probably say we have the tougher schedule among those other teams, I would guess. Time will tell, but we certainly like where we are right now. Hopefully we’re smart enough to know it’s still a difficult, difficult road for us.”

South Carolina’s march toward a potentially historic season still must negotiate many potholes, but easier for the players and coaching staff to envision.

To get there the Gamecocks must top several highly regarded teams, starting with nationally ninth-ranked LSU in Baton Rouge, La. on Saturday night. The Tigers opened the 2012 season ranked No. 1.

The team appears ready to give its goals of winning the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division, the SEC, and a national title its best effort.

“I feel like we come to the ballpark every game expecting to win,” said USC junior running back Marcus Lattimore. “We did in the past, but it’s just a little more fire and people just motivating us before the game, during the game, after the game. It’s just a great team.”

Spurrier, who has a 24-hour rule when it comes to either celebrating or commiserating previous games, believes his team has turned the page and is prepared to move forward. If it wants a chance to top LSU, that is a priority.

“Our entire team played very well,” said Spurrier. “We have to get it behind us now and try to get ready for LSU, a team that had a chance to beat Florida but it didn’t work out for them. ... They’ll be ready for us. They’re ready for everybody.”

Spurrier recognized the Gamecocks fans who he says played a big role in the victory.

“The crowd was super for us last night,” he said. “Somebody said it was the loudest stadium in America and maybe the loudest we’ve ever had here at Williams-Brice. They were a big part last night. The Georgia quarterback, their players couldn’t hear anything.

“We made it difficult on their snap count. Even (USC defensive end) Jadeveon Clowney said he got a good jump because the quarterback had to tap the center on the butt before the snap. The crowd was fantastic.”

• Spurrier said the team came out of the game healthy although cornerback Akeem Auguste and defensive tackle Byron Jerideau suffered sprained ankles.